Cosmetic compositions and methods for inhibiting melanin synthesis

ABSTRACT

A cosmetic composition suitable for topical application, for example, is provided. In some examples, the cosmetic composition may include batyl alcohol, undecylenoyl phenylalanine, hexyldecanol, and bisabolol. A method of reducing the synthesis of melanin by using the cosmetic compositions is also disclosed herein.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure generally relates to cosmetic compositionsincluding batyl alcohol, bisabolol, hexyldecanol, and undecylenoylphenylalanine; and methods relating thereto.

BACKGROUND

Consumers often desire skin lightening products that are affordable,safe, stable, and can produce consumer-noticeable skin lightening afterroutine use. In this regard, consumers may desire skin lighteningproducts to either lighten the color of their skin and/or minimize skinspots or blotchiness. For example, consumers may desire skin lighteningagents to counteract fluctuations in skin color brought about byhormonal fluctuations or environmental stressors like UV light.

At least some skin lightening agents work by targeting or influencingone or more of the steps involved in the development of skin color.Human skin color is attributed in part to the outermost layer of skin(i.e. epidermis) where many melanocytes may be located. The synthesis ofmelanin, pigments that may be dark brown/black or light red-yellow, is acomplex process that involves the enzyme, tyrosinase, and can take placewithin the melanosomes of the melanocytes. These melanosomes may betransferred from the melanocyte to the keratinocytes.

While the effects of certain individual ingredients on skin pigment havebeen studied to some degree, the role that combinations of ingredientsmight play in the appearance of skin color appears to be less wellstudied, including how varying concentrations, ratios and/orcombinations of ingredients might affect the pigment of the skin.

SUMMARY

A cosmetic composition suitable for topical application is provided. Insome examples, the cosmetic composition comprisesN-undecylenoyl-L-phenylalanine; hexyldecanol; bisabolol; and batylalcohol.

A method for reducing melanin synthesis is also provided. In someexamples, the method comprises: identifying a target portion ofkeratinous tissue in need of melanin reduction; and topically applyingto the target portion of the keratinous tissue an effective amount of acosmetic composition comprising: N-undecylenoyl-L-phenylalanine;hexyldecanol; bisabolol; and batyl alcohol.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

All percentages are weight percentages based on the weight of thecomposition, unless otherwise specified. All ratios are weight ratios,unless specifically stated otherwise. All numeric ranges are inclusiveof narrower ranges; delineated upper and lower range limits areinterchangeable to create further ranges not explicitly delineated. Thenumber of significant digits conveys neither limitation on the indicatedamounts nor on the accuracy of the measurements. All measurements areunderstood to be made at about 25° C. and at ambient conditions, where“ambient conditions” means conditions under about one atmosphere ofpressure and at about 50% relative humidity.

“Cosmetic composition” means compositions suitable for topicalapplication on mammalian keratinous tissue.

“Derivatives” include, but are not limited to, amide, ether, ester,amino, carboxyl, acetyl, and/or alcohol derivatives of a given chemical.

“Effective amount” means an amount sufficient to induce one or morebiological effects. Non-limiting examples of biological effects includea change in skin color and/or a change in the synthesis of melanin(either in vitro or in vivo) such as a decrease in melanin synthesis.

“Extract” as used herein, means material that may be obtained by thefollowing procedure: Place the indicated portion of dried plant material(stem, bark, leaves, etc.) in a conical glass percolator. Add theindicated percentage of extraction solvent in a w/w ratio of 1 partplant material to 2 parts extraction solvent. When the indicatedpercentage of extraction solvent is less than 100%, the remainingsolvent is water (e.g., 95% ethanol with 5% water, 50% ethanol with 50%water, etc.). Allow the extraction to proceed for about 16 to about 24hours. Collect the percolate, and repeat the above process until theresulting percolate is substantially free from plant additional extract.Combine the percolates, evaporate to dryness under reduced pressure, andstore the resulting extract under nitrogen at less than 4 degreesCelsius.

“Hyperpigmentation” as used herein, refers to an area of skin whereinthe pigmentation is greater than that of an adjacent area of skin (e.g.,a pigment spot, an age spot, and the like).

“Improve skin condition” or “improving skin condition” means effecting avisually and/or tactilely perceptible positive change, or benefit, inskin appearance and feel. Benefits that may be provided include, but arenot limited to, one or more of the following: reducing the appearance ofwrinkles and coarse deep lines, fine lines, crevices, bumps, and largepores; thickening of keratinous tissue (e.g., building the epidermisand/or dermis and/or sub-dermal layers of the skin, and where applicablethe keratinous layers of the nail and hair shaft, to reduce skin, hair,or nail atrophy); increasing the convolution of the dermal-epidermalborder (also known as the rete ridges); skin lightening; preventing lossof skin or hair elasticity, for example, due to loss, damage and/orinactivation of functional skin elastin, resulting in such conditions aselastosis, sagging, loss of skin or hair recoil from deformation;reduction in cellulite; change in coloration to the skin, hair, ornails, for example, under-eye circles, blotchiness (e.g., uneven redcoloration due to, for example, rosacea), sallowness, discolorationcaused by hyperpigmentation, etc.

“Keratinous tissue” refers to keratin-containing layers disposed as theoutermost protective covering of mammals which include, but are notlimited to, skin, hair, nails, and cuticles.

“Sallowness” means the pale color, yellow color or the like condition ofskin that occurs as a result of a loss of, damage to, alterations to,and/or abnormalities in skin components such that they become colored(e.g., yellow in color) due to processes such as protein glycation andaccumulation of lipofuscin or in the decrease in peripheral blood flowthat typically accompanies skin aging.

“Salts” as used herein, include, but are not limited to sodium,potassium, calcium, ammonium, manganese, copper, and/or magnesium saltsof a given chemical.

“Signs of skin aging” as used herein, include but are not limited to,all outward visibly and tactilely perceptible manifestations, as well asany macro- or microeffects, due to keratinous tissue aging. These signsmay result from processes which include, but are not limited to, thedevelopment of textural discontinuities such as wrinkles and coarse deepwrinkles, fine lines, skin lines, crevices, bumps, large pores,unevenness or roughness; loss of skin elasticity; discoloration(including undereye circles); blotchiness; sallowness; hyperpigmentedskin regions such as age spots and freckles; keratoses; abnormaldifferentiation; hyperkeratinization; elastosis; collagen breakdown, andother histological changes in the stratum corneum, dermis, epidermis,vascular system (e.g., telangiectasia or spider vessels), and underlyingtissues (e.g., fat and/or muscle), especially those proximate to theskin.

“Skin care actives” means chemicals that when applied to the skin,provide a benefit or improvement to the skin. It is to be understoodthat skin care actives are useful not only for application to skin, butalso to hair, nails and other keratinous tissue.

Surprisingly, it has been discovered that a combination of batylalcohol, bisabolol, undecylenoyl phenylalanine, and hexyldecanol may actsynergistically to inhibit melanin synthesis. It has also beendiscovered that the synergistic combination of batyl alcohol, bisabolol,undecylenoyl phenylalanine, and hexyldecanol may include other knownskin care actives such as niacinamide and still provide a synergisticeffect. Without being limited to theory, it is believed that novelcosmetic compositions comprising batyl alcohol, bisabolol, undecylenoylphenylalanine, and hexyldecanol may reduce melanin synthesis whentopically applied to keratinous tissue. Such cosmetic compositions maybe used, for example, to treat skin color irregularities (e.g.hyperpigmentation), lighten the color of the skin, ameliorate the signsof aging, and/or improve skin condition.

Surprisingly, it has been also been discovered that a combination ofbisabolol, undecylenoyl phenylalanine, and hexyldecanol may actsynergistically to inhibit melanin synthesis. Without being limited totheory, it is believed that this inhibition of melanin synthesis maylead to reduced melanin levels in the upper layers of the epidermis.

Table 1 below illustrates the effect of various test conditions onmelanin synthesis using the Melanin Synthesis Assay disclosed herein.Sample 1 included 0.1% bisabolol (shown as “Bis”). Sample 2 included0.1% bisabolol, 0.00056% hexyldecanol (shown as “HD”), and 0.00056%niacinamide (shown as “Nia”). Sample 3 included 0.1% bisabolol, 0.00011%undecylenoyl phenylalanine (shown as “UP”), and 0.00056% niacinamide.Sample 4 included 0.00056% hexyldecanol, 0.00011% undecylenoylphenylalanine, and 0.00056% niacinamide. Sample 5 included 0.1%bisabolol, 0.00056% hexyldecanol, and 0.00011% undecylenoylphenylalanine. Sample 6 included 0.1% bisabolol, 0.00056% hexyldecanol,0.00011% undecylenoyl phenylalanine, and 0.00056% niacinamide.

TABLE 1 Average Melanin P-Value versus Sample Test Conditions %Inhibition HD/UP/Nia 1 Bis 2.2 0.9795 2 Bis/HD/Nia 3.2 0.9883 3Bis/UP/Nia −2.8 0.9914 4 HD/UP/Nia 4.5 — 5 Bis/HD/UP 60.9 0.0269 6Bis/HD/UP/Nia 48.5 0.0134

Comparing Sample 1 to Sample 4, bisabolol alone did not significantlyreduce the production of melanin from B16-F1 mouse melanoma cells ascompared to Sample 4 which included a combination of hexyldecanol,undecylenoyl phenylalanine, and niacinamide. Comparing Sample 2 toSample 4, the combination of bisabolol, hexyldecanol, and niacinamidedid not significantly reduce the production of melanin from B16-F1 mousemelanoma cells as compared to sample 4. Comparing Sample 3 to Sample 4,the combination of bisabolol, undecylenoyl phenylalanine, andniacinamide did not significantly reduce the production of melanin fromB16-F1 mouse melanoma cells as compared to sample 4.

Unexpectedly, when bisabolol was combined with undecylenoylphenylalanine and hexyldecanol as in Sample 5, a significant reductionwas observed in the production of melanin from B16-F1 mouse melanomacells as compared to Sample 4 which included a combination ofhexyldecanol, undecylenoyl phenylalanine, and niacinamide. ComparingSample 6 to Sample 4, the addition of niacinamide to a combination ofbisabolol, undecylenoyl phenylalanine, and hexyldecanol as in Sample 6resulted in a significant reduction in the production of melanin fromB16-F1 mouse melanoma cells as compared to Sample 4 which included acombination of hexyldecanol, undecylenoyl phenylalanine, andniacinamide. These unexpected results suggest that cosmetic compositionsincluding bisabolol, undecylenoyl phenylalanine, and hexyldecanol may beable to reduce the production of melanin when topically applied tokeratinous tissue. These results also suggest that a synergisticcombination of bisabolol, undecylenoyl phenylalanine, and hexyldecanolmay include niacinamide and still provide a synergistic effect.

Table 2 below illustrates the affect of various other test conditions onmelanin synthesis using the Melanin Synthesis Assay disclosed herein.Sample 7 included the vector control, dimethyl sulfoxide. Sample 8included 0.03% batyl alcohol (shown as “Bat”). Sample 9 included 0.0005%hexyldecanol, 0.0001% undecylenoyl phenylalanine, and 0.0005%niacinamide. Sample 10 included 0.03% batyl alcohol, 0.0005%hexyldecanol, 0.0001% undecylenoyl phenylalanine, and 0.0005%niacinamide. Sample 11 included 0.003% bisabolol, hexyldecanol, 0.0001%undecylenoyl phenylalanine, and 0.0005% niacinamide. Sample 12 included0.03% batyl alcohol, 0.003% bisabolol, 0.0005% hexyldecanol, 0.0001%undecylenoyl phenylalanine, and 0.0005% niacinamide.

TABLE 2 Average Melanin P-Value P-Value % versus versus Sample TestConditions Inhibition HD/UP/Nia Bis/HD/UP/Nia 7 Control 0 0.4769 0.03478 Bat 7 0.7362 0.0275 9 HD/UP/Nia 5 — 0.0080 10 Bat/HD/UP/Nia 5 0.96410.029313 11 Bis/HD/UP/Nia 17 0.0080 — 12 Bat/Bis/HD/UP/Nia 42 0.00010.0008

Comparing Sample 9 to Sample 7, no significant difference in theproduction of melanin from B16-F1 mouse melanoma cells was observed witha combination of hexyldecanol, undecylenoyl phenylalanine, andniacinamide as compared to a vector only control. Comparing Sample 8 toSample 9, batyl alcohol alone did not significantly reduce theproduction of melanin from B16-F1 mouse melanoma cells as compared toSample 9 which included a combination of hexyldecanol, undecylenoylphenylalanine, and niacinamide. Comparing Sample 10 to Sample 9, theaddition of batyl alcohol to a combination including hexyldecanol,undecylenoyl phenylalanine, and niacinamide did not significantly reducethe production of melanin from B16-F1 mouse melanoma cells as comparedto Sample 9 which included hexyldecanol, undecylenoyl phenylalanine, andniacinamide.

Comparing Sample 11 to Sample 9, the combination of bisabolol,hexyldecanol, undecylenoyl phenylalanine, and niacinamide resulted in asignificant reduction in melanin production from B16-41 mouse melanomacells as compared to Sample 9 which did not include bisabolol. ComparingSample 12 to Sample 9, the combination of batyl alcohol, bisabolol,hexyldecanol, undecylenoyl phenylalanine, and niacinamide resulted in asignificant reduction in melanin production from B16-41 mouse melanomacells as compared to Sample 9. Interestingly, the addition of batylalcohol to a combination of bisabolol, hexyldecanol, undecylenoylphenylalanine, and niacinamide resulted in a significant reduction inmelanin production from B16-41 mouse melanoma cells (compare Sample 12to Sample 11). These results suggest that cosmetic compositionsincluding batyl alcohol, bisabolol, undecylenoyl phenylalanine, andhexyldecanol may be able to inhibit or reduce melanin synthesis. Thesedata also suggest that batyl alcohol may be added to cosmeticcompositions including niacinamide, bisabolol, undecylenoylphenylalanine, and hexyldecanol to further reduce the production ofmelanin when topically applied to keratinous tissue.

Cosmetic Compositions

The cosmetic compositions may be applied to mammalian keratinous tissue,in particular to human skin. The cosmetic compositions may take variousforms. For example, some non-limiting examples of forms includesolutions, suspensions, lotions, creams, gels, toners, sticks, pencils,sprays, aerosols, ointments, cleansing liquid washes and solid bars,shampoos and hair conditioners, pastes, foams, powders, mousses, shavingcreams, wipes, strips, patches, electrically-powered patches, wounddressing and adhesive bandages, hydrogels, film-forming products, facialand skin masks, cosmetics (e.g. foundations, eye liners, eye shadows),and the like.

The cosmetic compositions may include batyl alcohol. In some examples,the cosmetic composition may comprise about 0.5% of batyl alcohol byweight of the cosmetic composition. In some examples, the cosmeticcomposition may comprise from about 0.03% to about 2% of batyl alcohol,by weight of the cosmetic composition. In some examples the cosmeticcomposition may comprise from about 0.03% to about 1% of batyl alcohol,by weight of the cosmetic composition. In some examples, the cosmeticcomposition may comprise from about 0.03% to about 2% of batyl alcohol,by weight of the cosmetic composition. In some examples, the cosmeticcomposition may comprise from about 0.03% to about 5% of batyl alcohol,by weight of the cosmetic composition.

Batyl alcohol may possess the following formula:

Cosmetic compositions may also include bisabolol. Bisabolol haspreviously been used as a fragrance ingredient in consumer products likefine fragrances, shampoos, soaps, and cosmetics. Bisabolol has also beenimplicated with possessing anti-inflammatory properties and haspreviously been included in compositions as an anti-inflammatory active.

Bisabolol may be naturally- or synthetically-derived, or may include amixture of natural and synthetic origin. Bisabolol may be added to thecosmetic composition, for example, in pure form, as a salt, as anextract, or in any other form. Bisabolol includes, for example,“alpha-bisabolol,” which includes (+)-alpha-bisabolol,(−)-alpha-bisabolol, (+)-epi-alpha-bisabolol, (−)-epi-alpha-bisabolol,and combinations thereof. The cosmetic compositions may include at least0.003% of bisabolol, by weight of the cosmetic composition. The cosmeticcompositions may include from about 0.003% to about 1%, from about 0.1%to about 1%, from about 0.003% to about 2%, from about 0.1% to about 2%,or from 0.003% to 5% of bisabolol, by weight of the cosmeticcomposition.

Bisabolol may possess the following formula:

Cosmetic compositions may also include N-undecylenoyl-L-phenylalanine(i.e. undecylenoyl phenylalanine). N-undecylenoyl-L-phenylalanine may becommercially available from SEPPIC and sold under the name ofSepiwhite®. N-undecylenoyl-L-phenylalanine is a material that belongs toa broad class of N-acyl phenylalanine derivatives and is known as atopical skin tone evening agent. The cosmetic compositions may includeat least about 0.0001% or more of N-undecylenoyl-L-phenylalanine, byweight of the cosmetic composition. The cosmetic compositions mayinclude from about 0.0001% to about 1%, from about 0.0001% to about 2%,from about 0.0001% to about 5%, or from about 0.01% to about 2% ofN-undecylenoyl-L-phenylalanine, by weight of the cosmetic composition.

N-undecylenoyl-L-phenylalanine may possess the following formula:

The cosmetic compositions may also include 2-hexyl-1-decanol (i.e.“hexyldecanol”). The cosmetic compositions described herein may have aconcentration of hexyldecanol greater than 0.0005%, 0.1%, 0.5%, 1%, 2%,3%, 4%, 5%, 6%, 8%, 10% or 12% and/or less than 20%, 18%, 16%, 15% or14% by weight of the cosmetic composition. In some examples, thecosmetic compositions described herein may have a concentration ofhexyldecanol of from about 0.01% to about 8%, from about 0.05% to about5%, or from about 0.01% to about 8%, by weight of the cosmeticcomposition. Hexyldecanol may possess the following formula:

Cosmetic compositions may include vitamin B compounds. As used herein,vitamin B compounds include B1 compounds, B2 compounds, B3 compoundssuch as niacinamide, B5 compounds, such as panthenol or “pro-B5”,pantothenic acid, pantothenyl, B6 compounds, such as pyroxidine,pyridoxal, pyridoxamine, carnitine, thiamine, and riboflavin. In someembodiments, the vitamin B compound is a B3 compound having the formula:

wherein R is —CONH₂ (i.e., niacinamide), —COOH (i.e., nicotinic acid) or—CH₂OH (i.e., nicotinyl alcohol); derivatives thereof; and salts of anyof the foregoing. In some examples, the cosmetic compositions may have aconcentration of a vitamin B compound, by weight of the cosmeticcomposition, of greater than 0.0005%, 0.00056%, 1%, 2%, 3%, 4%, or 5%and/or less than 11%, 10%, 8%, or 6%. In some examples, the cosmeticcompositions may have a concentration of a vitamin B compound, by weightof the cosmetic composition, of greater than about 0.0005%, 0.00056%,1%, 2%, 3%, 4%, or 5% and/or less than about 11%, 10%, 8%, or 6%.

The topical application of niacinamide may be associated with a varietyof cosmetic skin care benefits. These may include: i) normalization ofage associated depletions of nicotinamide coenzymes in skin, ii)up-regulation of epidermal ceramide synthesis with concurrent epidermalbarrier benefits, iii) protection against damage produced by UVirradiation, iv) inhibition of the transfer of melanosomes frommelanocytes to keratinocytes (thereby providing a potential skin tonebenefit), and reduction in sebaceous lipogenesis. Thus in certaininstances, it may be desirable to include niacinamide in the cosmeticcomposition in order to improve the appearance of aging/photo-damagedskin.

The cosmetic compositions may also comprise one or more humectants. Somenon-limiting examples of humectants include sorbitol, honey, propyleneglycol, and glycerin. Glycerin, for example, is a small, polar moleculethat is liquid at room temperature and miscible with water. Endogenousglycerin is believed to be an important component of skin hydration andtopical application of cosmetic products containing glycerin can beassociated with improvements in barrier function, induction ofbiomarkers associated with keratinocyte proliferation and wound healing,reduction in melanin intensity, increases in epidermal thickness, andimprovements in general skin appearance. In some examples, the cosmeticcompositions may include one or more humectants at a concentration, byweight of the cosmetic composition, of greater than 4%, 5%, 6%, 7%, 8%,10%, 12%, 15%, 20% and/or less than 30%, 25%, or 20%. In some examples,the cosmetic compositions may include one or more humectants at aconcentration, by weight of the cosmetic composition, of greater thanabout 4%, 5%, 6%, 7%, 8%, 10%, 12%, 15%, 20% and/or less than about 30%,25%, or 20%.

The cosmetic compositions may also comprise hydroxycinnamic acid,inositol, licorice extract, glycyrrhetinic acid, glabridin, vitamin Esuccinate, salicylic acid, Laminaria Saccharina extract, FicusBengalensis extract, N-acetyl glucosamine, and combinations thereof.

Other Ingredients

In addition to the previously described ingredients, the cosmeticcompositions described herein may also comprise one or more otheringredients. Non-limiting examples of other ingredients commonly used incosmetic compositions (e.g., skin care actives), methods of identifyingskin care actives and/or methods of formulating cosmetic compositionsare described in U.S. Publications Nos. US2002/0022040; US2003/0049212;US2007/0196344; US2008/0181956; US2010/00092408; US2008/0206373; US2010/0239510; US2010/0189669; US2011/0262025; US2011/0097286;US2012/0197016; US2012/0128683; US2012/0148515; US2012/0156146; andUS2013/0022557 and U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,939,082; 5,872,112; 6,492,326;6,696,049; 6,524,598; 5,972,359; and 6,174,533.

For example, the cosmetic composition may comprise from about 1% toabout 95% by weight of water. The cosmetic composition may comprise fromabout 1% to about 95% by weight of one or more oils. The cosmeticcomposition may comprise from about 0.1%, 0.5%, 1%, 2%, 5%, 10%, 15%,20%, 25%, 30%, 35%, 40%, 45%, 50%, 55%, 60%, 65%, 70%, 75%, 80%, 85%, or90% to about 90%, 85%, 80%, 75%, 70%, 65%, 60%, 55%, 50%, 45%, 40%, 35%,30%, 25%, 20%, 15%, 10%, 5%, or 3% of the one or more oils. Oils may beused to solubilize, disperse, or carry materials that are not suitablefor water or water soluble solvents. Suitable oils include silicones,hydrocarbons, esters, amides, ethers, and mixtures thereof. Oils may befluid at room temperature. The oils may be volatile or nonvolatile.“Non-volatile” means a material that exhibits a vapor pressure of nomore than about 0.2 mm of mercury at 25° C. at one atmosphere and/or amaterial that has a boiling point at one atmosphere of at least about300° C. “Volatile” means that the material exhibits a vapor pressure ofat least about 0.2 mm. of mercury at 20° C. Volatile oils may be used toprovide a lighter feel when a heavy, greasy film is undesirable. Whenthe cosmetic composition is in the form of an emulsion, oils arecarriers typically associated with the oil phase. The cosmeticcomposition may be in the form of a water-in-oil emulsion, anoil-in-water emulsion, or a water-in-silicone emulsion.

Suitable oils include volatile oils. The volatile oils may have aviscosity ranging from about 0.5 to 5 centistokes at 25° C. Volatileoils may be used to promote more rapid drying of the cosmeticcomposition after it is applied to skin. Non-volatile oils are alsosuitable for use in the cosmetic composition. Non-volatile oils areoften used for their emolliency and protective properties.

Suitable silicone oils include polysiloxanes. Polysiloxanes may have aviscosity of from about 0.5 to about 1,000,000 centistokes at 25° C.Such polysiloxanes can be represented by the general chemical formula:R₃SiO[R₂SiO]_(x)SiR₃wherein R is independently selected from hydrogen or C₁₋₃₀ straight orbranched chain, saturated or unsaturated alkyl, phenyl or aryl,trialkylsiloxy; and x is an integer from 0 to about 10,000, chosen toachieve the desired molecular weight. Non-limiting examples of R includehydrogen, methyl, and ethyl. Commercially available polysiloxanesinclude the polydimethylsiloxanes, which are also known as dimethicones,examples of which include the DM-Fluid series from Shin-Etsu, theVicasil® series sold by Momentive Performance Materials Inc., and theDow Corning® 200 series sold by Dow Corning Corporation. Specificexamples of suitable polydimethylsiloxanes include Dow Corning® 200fluids (also sold as Xiameter® PMX-200 Silicone Fluids) havingviscosities of 0.65, 1.5, 50, 100, 350, 10,000, 12,500 100,000, and300,000 centistokes.

Suitable dimethicones include those represented by the chemical formula:R₃SiO[R₂SiO]_(x)[RR′SiO]_(y)SiR₃wherein R and R′ are each independently hydrogen or C₁₋₃₀ straight orbranched chain, saturated or unsaturated alkyl, aryl, or trialkylsiloxy;and x and y are each integers of 1 to 1,000,000 selected to achieve thedesired molecular weight. Non-limiting examples of dimethicones includephenyl dimethicone (Botansil™ PD-151 from Botanigenics, Inc.), diphenyldimethicone (KF-53 and KF-54 from Shin-Etsu), phenyl trimethicone (556Cosmetic Grade Fluid from Dow Corning), or trimethylsiloxyphenyldimethicone (PDM-20, PDM-200, or PDM-1000 from Wacker-Belsil). Othernon-limiting examples include alkyl dimethicones wherein at least R′ isa fatty alkyl (e.g., C₁₂₋₂₂). A suitable alkyl dimethicone is cetyldimethicone, wherein R′ is a straight C16 chain and R is methyl. Cetyldimethicone is available as 2502 Cosmetic Fluid from Dow Corning or asAbil Wax 9801 or 9814 from Evonik Goldschmidt GmbH.

Cyclic silicones are one type of silicone oil that may be used in thecosmetic composition. Such silicones have the general formula:

wherein R is independently selected from hydrogen or C₁₋₃₀ straight orbranched chain, saturated or unsaturated alkyl, phenyl or aryl,trialkylsiloxy; and where n=3-8 and mixtures thereof. Commonly, amixture of cyclomethicones is used where n is 4, 5, and/or 6.Commercially available cyclomethicones include Dow Corning UP-1001 UltraPure Fluid (i.e. n=4), Dow Corning XIAMETER® PMX-0245 (i.e. n=5), DowCorning XIAMETER® PMX-0245 (i.e. n=6), Dow Corning 245 fluid (i.e. n=4and 5), and Dow Corning 345 fluid (i.e. n=4, 5, and 6).

Suitable hydrocarbon oils include straight, branched, or cyclic alkanesand alkenes. The chain length may be selected based on desiredfunctional characteristics such as volatility. Suitable volatilehydrocarbons may have between 6-20 carbon atoms or, alternately, between8-16 carbon atoms.

Other suitable oils include esters. The suitable esters typically maycontain at least 10 carbon atoms. These esters include esters withhydrocarbyl chains derived from fatty acids or alcohols (e.g.,mono-esters, polyhydric alcohol esters, and di- and tri-carboxylic acidesters). The hydrocarbyl radicals of the esters hereof may include orhave covalently bonded thereto other compatible functionalities, such asamides and alkoxy moieties (e.g., ethoxy or ether linkages, etc.).Exemplary esters include, but are not limited to, isopropyl isostearate,hexyl laurate, isohexyl laurate, isohexyl palmitate, isopropylpalmitate, decyl oleate, isodecyl oleate, hexadecyl stearate, decylstearate, isopropyl isostearate, dihexyldecyl adipate, lauryl lactate,myristyl lactate, cetyl lactate, oleyl stearate, oleyl oleate, oleylmyristate, lauryl acetate, cetyl propionate, C12-15 alkyl benzoate,diisopropyl adipate, dibutyl adipate, and oleyl adipate. Other suitableesters are further described in the Personal Care Product Council'sInternational Cosmetic Ingredient Dictionary and Handbook, ThirteenthEdition, 2010, under the functional category of “Esters.” Other esterssuitable for use in the cosmetic composition include those known aspolyhydric alcohol esters and glycerides.

Other suitable oils include amides. Amides include compounds having anamide functional group while being liquid at 25° C. and insoluble inwater. Suitable amides include N-acetyl-N-butylaminopropionate,isopropyl N-lauroylsarcosinate, and N,N,-diethyltoluamide. Othersuitable amides are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,872,401.

Other suitable oils include ethers. Suitable ethers include saturatedand unsaturated fatty ethers of a polyhydric alcohol, and alkoxylatedderivatives thereof. Exemplary ethers include C₄₋₂₀ alkyl ethers ofpolypropylene glycols, and di-C₈₋₃₀ alkyl ethers. Suitable examples ofthese materials include PPG-14 butyl ether, PPG-15 stearyl ether,dioctyl ether, dodecyl octyl ether, and mixtures thereof.

The cosmetic compositions may include an emulsifier. An emulsifier isparticularly suitable when the cosmetic composition is in the form of anemulsion or if immiscible materials are being combined. The cosmeticcomposition may comprise from about 0.05%, 0.1%, 0.2%, 0.3%, 0.5%, or 1%to about 20%, 10%, 5%, 3%, 2%, or 1% emulsifier. Emulsifiers may benonionic, anionic, zwitterionic, or cationic. Non-limiting examples ofemulsifiers are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,755,560, U.S. Pat. No.4,421,769, and McCutcheon's, Emulsifiers and Detergents, 2010 AnnualEd., published by M. C. Publishing Co. Other suitable emulsifiers arefurther described in the Personal Care Product Council's InternationalCosmetic Ingredient Dictionary and Handbook, Thirteenth Edition, 2006,under the functional category of “Surfactants—Emulsifying Agents.”

Suitable emulsifiers include, but are not limited to, the followingclasses of ethers and esters: ethers of polyglycols and of fattyalcohols, esters of polyglycols and of fatty acids, ethers ofpolyglycols and of fatty alcohols which are glycosylated, esters ofpolyglycols and of fatty acids which are glycosylated, ethers of C₁₂₋₃₀alcohols and of glycerol or of polyglycerol, esters of C₁₂₋₃₀ fattyacids and of glycerol or of polyglycerol, ethers of oxyalkylene-modifiedC₁₂₋₃₀ alcohols and of glycerol or polyglycerol, ethers of C₁₂₋₃₀ fattyalcohols comprising and of sucrose or of glucose, esters of sucrose andof C₁₂₋₃₀ fatty acids, esters of pentaerythritol and of C₁₂₋₃₀ fattyacids, esters of sorbitol and/or of sorbitan and of C₁₂₋₃₀ fatty acids,ethers of sorbitol and/or of sorbitan and of alkoxylated sorbitan,ethers of polyglycols and of cholesterol, esters of C₁₂₋₃₀ fatty acidsand of alkoxylated ethers of sorbitol and/or sorbitan, and combinationsthereof.

Linear or branched type silicone emulsifiers may also be used. Examplesof some useful polyether modified silicones include KF-6011, KF-6012,KF-6013, KF-6015, KF-6015, KF-6017, KF-6043, KF-6028, and KF-6038 fromShin Etsu. Examples of some useful silicone emulsifiers include thepolyglycerolated linear or branched siloxane emulsifiers includingKF-6100, KF-6104, and KF-6105 from Shin Etsu.

Emulsifiers also include emulsifying silicone elastomers. Suitableemulsifying silicone elastomers may include at least one polyalkyl etheror polyglycerolated unit. Polyoxyalylenated emulsifying siliconeelastomers that may be used include those sold by Shin-Etsu Siliconesunder the names KSG-21, KSG-20, KSG-30, KSG-31, KSG-32, KSG-33; KSG-210(dimethicone/PEG-10/15 crosspolymer dispersed in dimethicone); KSG-310(PEG-15 lauryl dimethicone crosspolymer); KSG-320 (PEG-15 lauryldimethicone crosspolymer dispersed in isododecane); KSG-330 (PEG-15lauryl dimethicone crosspolymer dispersed in triethylhexanoin), KSG-340(PEG-10 lauryl dimethicone crosspolymer and PEG-15 lauryl dimethiconecrosspolymer). Other examples of some silicone emulsifying elastomersare supplied by Dow Corning™, including PEG-12 dimethicone crosspolymers(DC 9010 and 9011). Other examples of some suitable silicone emulsifiersare sold by Dow Corning and include DC9010 and DC9011. Polyglycerolatedemulsifying silicone elastomers are disclosed in PCT/WO 2004/024798.Such elastomers include Shin-Etsu's KSG series, such as KSG-710(dimethicone/polyglycerin-3 crosspolymer dispersed in dimethicone); orlauryl dimethicone/polyglycerin-3 crosspolymer dispersed in a variety ofsolvent such as isododecane, dimethicone, triethylhexanoin, available asKSG-810, KSG-820, KSG-830, or KSG-840 from Shin-Etsu.

Structuring agents may be used to increase viscosity, thicken, solidify,or provide solid or crystalline structure to the cosmetic composition.Structuring agents are typically grouped based on solubility,dispersibility, and phase compatibility. Examples of aqueous or waterstructuring agents include, but are not limited to, polymeric agents,natural or synthetic gums, polysaccharides, and the like. The cosmeticcompositions may comprise from about 0.0001%, 0.001%, 0.01%, 0.05%,0.1%, 0.5%, 1%, 2%, 3%, 5% to about 25%, 20%, 10%, 7%, 5%, 4%, or 2%, byweight of the cosmetic composition, of one or more structuring agents.

Polysaccharides and gums may be examples of some suitable aqueous phasethickening agents. Suitable classes of polymeric structuring agentsinclude, but are not limited to, carboxylic acid polymers,polyacrylamide polymers, sulfonated polymers, high molecular weightpolyalkylglycols or polyglycerins, copolymers thereof, hydrophobicallymodified derivatives thereof, and mixtures thereof.

Examples of oil structuring agents include silicone and organic basedmaterials. Suitable ranges of oil structuring agents are from about0.01%, 0.05%, 0.1% 0.5%, 1%, 2.5%, 5%, or 10% to about 30%, 25%, 20%,15%, 10%, or 5%. Some examples of suitable oil phase structuring agentsinclude those that are silicone based, such as silicone elastomers,silicone gums, silicone waxes, and linear silicones having a degree ofpolymerization allowing the silicone to increase the viscosity of theoil phase. Examples of some silicone structuring agents include, but arenot limited to, silicone elastomers, silicone gums, and silicone waxes,

Suitable silicone elastomers may be in the powder form, or dispersed orsolubilized in solvents such as volatile or non-volatile silicones, orsilicone compatible vehicles such as paraffinic hydrocarbons or esters.Some examples of silicone elastomer powders include vinyldimethicone/methicone silsesquioxane crosspolymers like KSP-100,KSP-101, KSP-102, KSP-103, KSP-104, KSP-105, available from Shin-Etsu,hybrid silicone powders that contain a fluoroalkyl group like KSP-200,available from Shin-Etsu, which is a fluoro-silicone elastomer, andhybrid silicone powders that contain a phenyl group such as KSP-300,available from Shin-Etsu, which is a phenyl substituted siliconeelastomer; and DC 9506 available from Dow Corning.

Examples of some silicone elastomer dispersions includedimethicone/vinyl dimethicone crosspolymers supplied by a variety ofsuppliers including Dow Corning Corporation under the tradenames DC9040or DC9041, Momentive under the tradename SFE 839, or Shin-Etsu Siliconesunder the tradenames KSG-15, 16, 18. KSG-15 has the INCI namecyclopentasiloxane (and) dimethicone/vinyl dimethicone crosspolymer.KSG-18 has the INCI name diphenylsiloxy phenyl trimethicone (and)dimethicone/phenyl vinyl dimethicone crossoplymer. Silicone elastomersmay also be purchased from Grant Industries under the Gransil trademark.Other suitable silicone elastomers have long chain alkyl substitutionssuch as lauryl dimethicone/vinyl dimethicone crosspolymers supplied byShin Etsu under the tradenames KSG-41, KSG-42, KSG-43, and KSG-44,wherein the elastomer is dispersed in solvents including mineral oil,isodocane, triethylhexanoin, or squalene, respectively. Other suitablesilicone elastomers may have polyglycerine substitutions such as lauryldimethicone/polyglycerin-3 crosspolymers supplied by Shin Etsu under thetradenames KSG-810, KSG-820, KSG-830, and KSG-840, wherein the elastomeris dispersed in solvents including mineral oil, isodocane,triethylhexanoin, or squalene, respectively. Other suitable siliconeelastomers may have polyglycol substitutions such as PEG-15/lauryldimethicone crosspolymers supplied by Shin Etsu under the tradenamesKSG-310, KSG-320, KSG-330, and KSG-340, wherein the elastomer isdispersed in solvents including mineral oil, isodocane,triethylhexanoin, or squalene, respectively. Other suitable siliconeelastomers having polyglycol substitutions include Shin Etsu's KSG-210,a dimethicone/PEG-10/15 crosspolymer in dimethicone.

Silicone gums may be used as a structuring agent. The silicone gum mayhave a viscosity ranging from about 500,000 to 100 million cst at 25°C., from about 600,000 to 20 million, from about 600,000 to 12 millioncst. Some suitable silicone gums include those sold by Wacker-Belsilunder the trade names CM3092, Wacker-Belsil 1000, or Wacker-Belsil DM3096. A particularly suitable silicone gum is dimethiconol, availablefrom Dow Corning Corporation under the trade name 1-1254 Fluid, 2-9023Fluid, and 2-9026 Fluid. Dimethiconol is often sold as a mixture with avolatile or nonvolatile silicone such as Dow Corning 1401 Fluid, 1403Fluid, and 1501 Fluid.

Another non-limiting example of a structuring agent is silicone wax.Silicone waxes may be referred to as alkyl silicone waxes and may besemi-solids or solids at room temperature. The term “alkyl silicone wax”means a polydimethylsiloxane having a substituted long chain alkyl (suchas C16 to 30) that confers a semi-solid or solid property to thesiloxane. Examples of such silicone waxes include stearyl dimethicone,which may be purchased from Evonik Goldschmidt GmbH under the tradenameAbil Wax 9800 or from Dow Corning under the tradename 2503. Anotherexample is bis-stearyl dimethicone (which may be purchased from GransilIndustries under the tradename Gransil A-18), behenyl dimethicone, orbehenoxy dimethicone.

Other suitable structuring agents include polyamides andpolysilicone-polyamide copolymers. Suitable polysilicone-polyamidecopolymers are disclosed in U.S. Patent Application Publication No.2004/0170586.

Other structuring agents may be one or more natural or synthetic waxessuch as animal, vegetable, or mineral waxes. Suitable silicone waxes aredisclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,413,781 and 5,725,845, and further includealkylmethyl polysiloxanes, C10-C60 alkyl dimethicones, and mixturesthereof.

Other structuring agents include natural or synthetic montmorilloniteminerals, silicas, silicates, silica silylate, and alkali metal oralkaline earth metal derivatives thereof.

The cosmetic compositions may optionally contain one or more UV actives.As used herein, “UV active” includes both sunscreen agents and physicalsunblocks. Suitable UV actives may be organic or inorganic. Examples ofsome suitable UV actives are listed in the functional category of“Sunscreen Agents” in the Personal Care Product Council's InternationalCosmetic Ingredient Dictionary and Handbook, Thirteenth Edition, 2010.Suitable UV actives include those defined or proposed by regulatoryagencies in the US (e.g., 21 CFR part 352, 68 Federal Register 41386, 70Federal Register 72449, or 71 Federal Register 42405), Europe(Regulation No 1223/2009 of the EU Parliament; Annex VI), Japan, China,Australia, New Zealand, or Canada. In some examples, the cosmeticcomposition may comprise from about 0.01% to about 20%, by weight of thecosmetic composition, of a UV active. The cosmetic composition may alsocomprise a sufficient amount of one or more UV actives to yield a SunProtection Factor of at least about 15, 30, 45, or 50. SPF testing isconventional and well understood in the art. A suitable SPF test isprescribed in 21 C.F.R. 352, Subpart D.

Some suitable UV actives include dibenzoylmethane derivatives including2-methyldibenzoylmethane, 4-methyldibenzoylmethane,4-isopropyldibenzoylmethane, 4-tert-butyldibenzoylmethane,2,4-dimethyldibenzoylmethane, 2,5-dimethyldibenzoylmethane,4,4′-diisopropyldibenzoylmethane, 4,4′-dimethoxy dibenzoylmethane,4-tert-butyl-4′-methoxy dibenzoylmethane (i.e., butylmethoxydibenzoylmethane or avobenzone) (commercially available asPARSOL® 1789 from DSM), 2-methyl-5-isopropyl-4′-methoxydibenzoylmethane, 2-methyl-5-tert-butyl-4′-methoxydibenzoylmethane,2,4-dimethyl-4′-methoxy dibenzoylmethane, and2,6-dimethyl-4-tert-butyl-4′-methoxy dibenzoylmethane. Some othersuitable UV actives include 2-ethylhexyl-p-methoxycinnamate(commercially available as PARSOL® MCX from DSM),2-hydroxy-4-methoxybenzophenone, benzonphenone-3 (i.e. oxybeznone),octyldimethyl-p-aminobenzoic acid, digalloyltrioleate,2,2-dihydroxy-4-methoxybenzophenone,ethyl-4-(bis(hydroxy-propyl))aminobenzoate,2-ethylhexyl-2-cyano-3,3-diphenylacrylate, 2-ethylhexyl-salicylate,glyceryl-p-aminobenzoate, 3,3,5-tri-methylcyclohexylsalicylate,methylanthranilate, p-dimethyl-aminobenzoic acid or aminobenzoate,2-ethylhexyl-p-dimethyl-amino-benzoate, 2-phenylbenzimidazole-5-sulfonicacid, 2-(p-dimethylaminophenyl)-5-sulfonicbenzoxazoic acid, octocrylene,zinc oxide, titanium dioxide, and mixtures thereof.

Particularly suitable UV actives are 2-ethylhexyl-p-methoxycinnamate,4-tert-butyl-4′-methoxy dibenzoylmethane,2-hydroxy-4-methoxybenzo-phenone, 2-phenylbenzimidazole-5-sulfonic acid,octocrylene, zinc oxide, titanium dioxide, and mixtures thereof.

Some other suitable UV actives include 4-methylbenzylidene camphor(commercially available as PARSOL® 5000 from DSM or Eusolex 6300 fromMerck), methylene bis-benzotriazolyl tetramethylbutylphenol (i.e.,bisoctrizole, commercially available as Tinosorb® M from BASF),bis-ethylhexyloxyphenol methoxyphenol triazine (i.e., bemotrizinol,commercially available as Tinosorb® S from BASF), disodium phenyldibenzimidazole tetrasulfonate (i.e., Bisdisulizole disodium,commercially available as Neo Heliopan® AP from Symrise), Ethylhexyltriazone (commercially available as Uvinul® T 150 from BASF),Drometrizole trisiloxane (marketed as Mexoryl XL by L'Oreal), SodiumDihydroxy Dimethoxy Disulfobenzophenone (i.e., benzophenone-9,commercially available as Uvinul® DS 49 from BASF), DiethylaminoHydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate (commercially available as Uvinul® A Plusfrom BASF), diethylhexyl butamido triazone (i.e., Iscotrizinol,commercially available as Uvasorb® HEB by 3V Sigma), Polysilicone-15(i.e., commercially available as PARSOL® SLX from DSM), and Isoamylp-Methoxycinnamate (i.e., amiloxate, commercially available as NeoHeliopan® E 1000 from Symrise).

The cosmetic compositions may be generally prepared by conventionalmethods such as those known in the art of making cosmetic compositions.Such methods typically involve mixing of ingredients in one or moresteps to a relatively uniform state, with or without heating, cooling,application of vacuum, and the like. Typically, emulsions are preparedby first mixing the aqueous phase materials separately from the fattyphase materials and then combining the two phases as appropriate toyield the desired continuous phase. The cosmetic compositions arepreferably prepared such as to optimize stability (physical stability,chemical stability, photostability, etc.) and/or delivery of activematerials. The cosmetic composition may be provided in a package sizedto store a sufficient amount of the cosmetic composition for a treatmentperiod. The size, shape, and design of the package may vary widely.Certain package examples are described in U.S. Pat. Nos. D570,707;D391,162; D516,436; D535,191; D542,660; D547,193; D547,661; D558,591;D563,221; 2009/0017080; 2007/0205226; and 2007/0040306.

Melanin Synthesis Assay

A B16-F1 mouse melanoma cell line may be employed as an assay to measuremelanin synthesis. The B16-F1 cells may be obtained from American TissueCulture Collection, Virginia, USA. The cell culture medium that may beused in the assay may comprise 500 mL of Dulbecco's Modified Eagle'sMedium (DMEM), 50 mL Fetal Bovine Serum (FBS), and 5 mL ofpenicillin-streptomycin liquid. B16-F1 cells that are cultured in thismedium and grown to greater than 90% confluency synthesize melanin.While not intending to be bound by any theory, it is hypothesized thatmelanin synthesis is stimulated by the culture medium and/or stressinduced by growth to a high confluency. The DMEM and FBS can be obtainedfrom American Tissue Culture Collection and the penicillin-streptomycinliquid can be obtained from Invitrogen, Inc., California, USA. Equipmentused in the assay include a CO₂ incubator, such as a Forma Series Model3110 by Therma Scientific, Massachusetts, USA; a hemocytometer, such asa Bright Line model by Hauser Scientific, Pennsylvania, USA; and aUV-Visible Spectrum Plate Reader, such as a SpectraMax250 from MolecularDevices, California, USA. The assay steps may include:

Day 0—Cell Growth: Warm the cell culture medium to 37° C. and place 29mL into a T-150 flask. Add approximately 1×10⁶ of B16-F1 passage 1 mousecells to the T-150 flask and incubate for 3 days at 37° C., 5% CO₂, 90%relative humidity, until ˜80% confluency;

Day 3—Initiate a 96 Well Plate: At day 3, trypsinize the cells from theT-150 flask and determine the concentration of cells using ahemocytometer. Initiate a 96 well plate with 2,500 cells per well in 100microliters of cell culture medium. Incubate the plate at 37° C., 5%CO₂, 90% relative humidity for about 2 days until at least 20% to 40%confluency;

Day 5—Decant the cell culture medium from the plate and replace withfresh culture medium (100 uL per well). Add 1 microliter of [testcompound] diluted in a [water or DSMO] solvent. Multiple dilution ratiosmay be tested in order to generate a dose response curve, whereinpreferably three wells are treated with each dilution ratio. Controlscomprise wells having the cell culture medium, B16-F1 cells, and thesolvent (control #1); wells comprising the cell culture medium and thesolvent (control #2); and optionally wells comprising the cell culturemedium, solvent and [test compound] when necessary to control for the[test compound] background color (control #3);

Day 7—Measure Melanin Production: Cells should have a confluency greaterthan ˜90%. If not, this data point is not used. Add 100 microliters of a0.75% sodium hydroxide solution to each well. Read the 96 well plateusing the UV-Vis Plate Reader at 410 nm to optically measure the amountof melanin produced between wells that are treated with [test compound]and control wells that are not treated with a test compound. Wells inwhich melanin is produced typically appear brownish in color. Wells inwhich little melanin is produced typically appear clear to light purplein color. Percentage of melanin synthesis inhibition is calculated bythe following equation:

$100 - {\frac{\lbrack {{{OD}\; 410\mspace{14mu}{Test}\mspace{14mu}{Compound}} - {{OD}\; 410\mspace{14mu}{Control}\mspace{14mu}{\# 2}}} \rbrack}{( {{{OD}\; 410\mspace{14mu}{Control}\mspace{14mu}{\# 1}} - {{OD}\; 410\mspace{14mu}{Control}\mspace{14mu}{\# 2}}} )} \times 100}$

Where OD410 is the Optical Density at 410 nm as measured by the UV-VisSpectrum Plate Reader.

When Control #3 is used, the formula for percentage melanin synthesisinhibition is:

$100 - {\frac{\lbrack {{{OD}\; 410\mspace{14mu}{Test}\mspace{14mu}{Compound}} - {{OD}\; 410\mspace{14mu}{Control}\mspace{14mu}{\# 3}}} \rbrack}{( {{{OD}\; 410\mspace{14mu}{Control}\mspace{14mu}{\# 1}} - {{OD}\; 410\mspace{14mu}{Control}\mspace{14mu}{\# 2}}} )} \times 100}$

Using generally the assay outlined above, melanin synthesis in treatedB16-F1 cells was inhibited as compared to control cells as shown inTable 1.

Methods of Use

The cosmetic compositions disclosed herein may be applied to one or moreskin surfaces and/or one or more mammalian keratinous tissue surfaces aspart of a user's daily routine or regimen. Additionally oralternatively, the cosmetic compositions herein may be used on an “asneeded” basis. In some examples, an effective amount of the cosmeticcomposition may be applied to the target portion of the keratinoustissue or skin. In some examples, the cosmetic composition may beprovided in a package with written instructions detailing theapplication regimen.

The method may include a step of identifying a target portion ofkeratinous tissue or skin comprising one or more of the following fortreatment with the cosmetic composition: age spots, pigment spots,uneven skin tone, and/or in need of melanin reduction. The method mayalso include a step of identifying a skin surface for treatment with thecosmetic composition for improving skin condition. The skin surface maybe identified by the user or a third party such as a dermatologist,cosmetician, or other individual or even by a combination of differentindividuals. Identification may be done, for example, by visualinspection of the skin surface in need of treatment based on size and/orcolor. Identification may also be done by either custom-made orcommercially available imaging devices such as SIAscope V (availablefrom Astron Clinica, Ltd., UK) or the VISTA® Complexion Analysis system(available from Canfield Scientific, Inc., Fairfield, N.J.). Bothdevices are capable of collecting images of the skin and identifying agespots. Identification may also be done, for example, by color meter orspectrophotometer, which are both capable of collecting skin colorinformation of basal area and/or age spots.

Skin surfaces may include those not typically covered by clothing suchas facial skin surfaces, hand and arm skin surfaces, foot and leg skinsurfaces, and neck and chest skin surfaces (e.g., décolletage). Forexample, areas identified for treatment may include areas such as theforehead, perioral, chin, periorbital, nose, and/or cheek skin surfaces.In another example, the cosmetic composition may be applied to anyfacial skin care surface and/or any other skin surface identified as inneed of treatment by the cosmetic composition. In some examples, one ormore of these skin surfaces may be identified as needing treatment andone or more of these skins surfaces may be treated with the cosmeticcomposition.

The method may comprise a step of applying the composition to the skinsurface, which may or may not have been previously identified. Manyregimens exist for the application of the cosmetic composition. Thecosmetic composition may be applied as needed and/or at least once aday, twice a day, or on a more frequent daily basis, during a treatmentperiod. Non-limiting examples of the treatment periods may be betweenabout 1 week and about 12 weeks, between about 4 weeks and about 12weeks, and/or between about 4 weeks and about 8 weeks. In anotherexample, the treatment period may extend over multiple months (i.e.,3-12 months) or multiple years. In another example, the cosmeticcomposition may be applied least once a day during a treatment period ofat least about 4 weeks or at least about 8 weeks. In another example,the cosmetic composition may be applied twice a day during a treatmentperiod of at least about 4 weeks or 8 weeks. In another example, thecosmetic composition can also be applied to at least one skin surfacearea at least once per day, twice per day, or three times per day for aperiod of 7, 14, 21, or 28 days or more. When applied twice daily, thefirst and second applications may be separated by at least 1 to about 12hours. The cosmetic composition may be also applied in the morningand/or in the evening before bed. The treatment period should be asufficient time to provide an improvement in the skin surface but neednot be so. Non-limiting examples of improvements include a detectablereductions in the size of the age spot(s), lightening of the age spot(s)(e.g., lighter in color), a decrease in melanin levels, and animprovement in melanin evenness. For general application to keratinoustissue and, particularly a facial skin surface, the dosed amount of thecosmetic composition may be between about 1 to about 50 microliters/cm²per application (i.e., per single application to the skin surfaces).

EXAMPLES

The following examples are given solely for the purpose of illustrationand are not to be construed as limiting the invention, as manyvariations thereof are possible.

In the examples, all concentrations are listed as weight percent, unlessotherwise specified and may exclude minor materials such as diluents,filler, and so forth. The listed formulations, therefore, comprise thelisted components and any minor materials associated with suchcomponents. As is apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art, theselection of these minor materials will vary depending on the physicaland chemical characteristics of the particular ingredients selected tomake the present invention as described herein.

Examples of some cosmetic compositions are provided below.

TABLE 3 Component Ex. A Ex. B Ex. C Ex. D Ex. E Water QS QS QS QS QSGlycerin 10 10 10 10 10 Disodium EDTA 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1Undecylenoyl-L- 2 0.2 1 1 1 Phenylalanine Triethanolamine 0.7 0.07 0.350.35 0.35 Bisabolol 2 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 Tocopheryl Acetate 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.50.5 Isohexadecane 3 3 3 3 3 Isopropyl Isostearate 1.33 1.33 1.33 1.331.33 Sucrose Polycottonseedate 0.67 0.67 0.67 0.67 0.67 Hexyldecanol 50.05 5 0.05 5 Polymethylsilsesquioxane 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 CetearylGlucoside, 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 Cetearyl Alcohol Behenyl Alcohol 0.6 0.60.6 0.6 0.6 Ethylparaben 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.2 Propylparaben 0.1 0.1 0.10.1 0.1 Cetyl Alcohol 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 Stearyl Alcohol 0.7 0.7 0.70.7 0.7 PEG-100 Stearate 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.2 Polyacrylamide (and) C13-2.25 2.5 2.25 2.25 2.5 14 Isoparaffine (and) Laureth-7 Panthenol 1 1 1 11 Niacinamide 5 5 5 5 0 Benzyl Alcohol 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25Dimethicone and 2 2 2 2 2 Dimethiconol Batyl Alcohol 2 0.5 1 0.5 0.5

It should be understood that every maximum numerical limitation giventhroughout this specification includes every lower numerical limitation,as if such lower numerical limitations were expressly written herein.Every minimum numerical limitation given throughout this specificationwill include every higher numerical limitation, as if such highernumerical limitations were expressly written herein. Every numericalrange given throughout this specification will include every narrowernumerical range that falls within such broader numerical range, as ifsuch narrower numerical ranges were all expressly written herein.

The dimensions and values disclosed herein are not to be understood asbeing strictly limited to the exact numerical values recited. Instead,unless otherwise specified, each such dimension is intended to mean boththe recited value and a functionally equivalent range surrounding thatvalue. For example, a dimension disclosed as “40 mm” is intended to mean“about 40 mm.”

Every document cited herein, including any cross referenced or relatedpatent or application and any related patent or application identifiedin the Application Data Sheet accompanying this application, is herebyincorporated herein by reference in its entirety unless expresslyexcluded or otherwise limited. The citation of any document is not anadmission that it is prior art with respect to any invention disclosedor claimed herein or that it alone, or in any combination with any otherreference or references, teaches, suggests or discloses any suchinvention. Further, to the extent that any meaning or definition of aterm in this document conflicts with any meaning or definition of thesame term in a document incorporated by reference, the meaning ordefinition assigned to that term in this document shall govern.

While particular embodiments of the present invention have beenillustrated and described, it would be obvious to those skilled in theart that various other changes and modifications can be made withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is thereforeintended to cover in the appended claims all such changes andmodifications that are within the scope of this invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A cosmetic composition comprising: a.N-undecylenoyl-L-phenylalanine; b. hexyldecanol; c. bisabolol; and d.batyl alcohol.
 2. The cosmetic composition of claim 1, wherein thecomposition further comprises a vitamin B compound.
 3. The cosmeticcomposition of claim 2, wherein the vitamin B compound comprisesniacinamide.
 4. The cosmetic composition of claim 3, wherein theniacinamide has a concentration of less than about 11%, by weight of thecosmetic composition.
 5. The cosmetic composition of claim 1, whereinthe hexyldecanol has a concentration of from about 0.01% to about 8%, byweight of the cosmetic composition.
 6. The cosmetic composition of claim1, wherein the hexyldecanol has a concentration of from about 0.05% toabout 5%, by weight of the cosmetic composition.
 7. The cosmeticcomposition of claim 1, wherein the batyl alcohol has a concentration offrom about 0.03% to about 5%, by weight of the cosmetic composition. 8.The cosmetic composition of claim 1, wherein the batyl alcohol has aconcentration of from about 0.03% to about 2%, by weight of the cosmeticcomposition.
 9. The cosmetic composition of claim 1, wherein thebisabolol has a concentration of from about 0.003% to about 2%, byweight of the cosmetic composition.
 10. The cosmetic composition ofclaim 1, wherein the N-undecylenoyl-L-phenylalanine has a concentrationof from 0.01% to about 2%, by weight of the cosmetic composition. 11.The cosmetic composition of claim 1, wherein the cosmetic compositionfurther comprises a UV active.
 12. The cosmetic composition of claim 1,wherein the cosmetic composition further comprises glycerin.
 13. Thecosmetic composition of claim 1, wherein the cosmetic compositionfurther comprises a material selected from the group consisting ofhydroxycinnamic acid, inositol, licorice extract, glycyrrhetinic acid,glabridin, vitamin E succinate, salicylic acid, Laminaria Saccharinaextract, Ficus Bengalensis extract, N-acetyl glucosamine, andcombinations thereof.
 14. The cosmetic composition of claim 1, whereinthe cosmetic composition is provided in the form of a water-in-oilemulsion, an oil-in-water emulsion, or a water-in-silicone emulsion. 15.A method of reducing melanin synthesis, the method comprising: a.identifying a target portion of keratinous tissue in need of melaninreduction; and b. topically applying to the target portion of thekeratinous tissue an effective amount of a cosmetic compositioncomprising: i. N-undecylenoyl-L-phenylalanine; ii. hexyldecanol; iii.bisabolol; and iv. batyl alcohol.
 16. The method of claim 15, whereinthe composition further comprises niacinamide.
 17. The method of claim15, wherein the hexyldecanol has a concentration of from about 0.05% toabout 5%, by weight of the cosmetic composition.
 18. The method of claim15, wherein the batyl alcohol has a concentration of from about 0.03% toabout 5%, by weight of the cosmetic composition.
 19. The method of claim15, wherein the bisabolol has a concentration of from about 0.003% toabout 2%, by weight of the cosmetic composition.
 20. The method of claim15, wherein the N-undecylenoyl-L-phenylalanine has a concentration offrom 0.01% to about 2%, by weight of the cosmetic composition.